Wednesday, 28 March 2012

These days most of the people own cars as it is no longer
considered as a luxury. Today there are different types of automobiles
available quite easily. Regardless of the type of automobile, it is
important to care for it so that it lasts for a long period of time. It
is necessary to maintain its reliability and efficiency so that it
performs well. A routine maintenance program should be followed to
extend the life of vehicles.
Important Car Maintenance Tips:
Some of the most important ways to care for your automobile includes the following.
Wash:
Similar to all equipments, it is necessary to clean and wash
automobiles effectively. There are different types of car washer
available today. These are easy to install and operate. Different models
of these washers can be availed easily from online stores at affordable
price rates.
Oil Change: Another important tip to consider is oil
change. It is important to change the oil every three to six months to
ensure the efficiency of the engine.
Tune Up: It is also pertinent
to check the air filter, spark filter, emission control filters and
fuel filters regularly so that the engines produce low level of
emission. It is also necessary to check the engines so that it delivers
balanced power.
Hoses and Belts: It is also important to check the
hoses and belts to ensure there are no cracks and loose connections
which are mainly caused due to excessive usage.
Battery:
Automobile care also includes the performance check of the automobile
batteries. It is necessary to use batteries which are corrosion free and
clean so as to ensure optimum performance.
HVAC System: It is
also necessary to check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning
system of the vehicles so that it heats and cools appropriately.
Waxing: Automobiles need to be waxed twice in a year so that it appears chic and well maintained.
Tire
Maintenance: With regular usage, the tires of the vehicles wear out so
it is important to rotate them. Wheels need to be aligned to obtain
maximum performance.
Various Types of Car Washers:
Many of
the online stores showcase a variety of car washers which include
different features. Some of the most important features include the
following.
Effective Cleaning: These washers can be used to clean vehicles thoroughly with its twin piston pumps.
Less Water Usage: Compared to the other cleaning devices, it utilizes less amount of water for cleaning purposes.
Fan
Spray: Most of these devices use fan sprays jets to clean automobiles
and its parts. As it includes a large amount of pressure, it provides
effective cleaning solutions.
Less Time: In comparison to the
other types of cleaning devices, it requires less amount of time to
clean the surfaces of vehicles.
Long Service Life: Most of these
equipments last for a long period of time compared to the other types of
cleaning devices available online.
Car washers can be bought on
the basis of various specifications which include type of drive, LPM,
working pressure, RPM, delivery per gun and motor power.

Thursday, 22 March 2012

One can learn how to drive by self-teaching. Parents and guardians would allow their kids to drive the car around the town and learn the tricks and ways on how to drive well. At times, parents would help their kids by riding and instructing on what right moves to make. On the other hand, there are parents who would love to send their kids to driving school and learn on how to drive.

With the question of the effectiveness of sending kids to driving schools, the professional details of the driving school is a top matter to consider. Driving is a risky matter; and it is just fitting for youngsters to be under the direct and close supervision of a professional driving trainer. The problem with the non-professional driving teachers or doing-it-yourself learning how to drive is the bad driving habits that are mostly passed to the newbie.

To note, before one can be given the driver's license, it is necessary to pass the interviews and oral examinations that will be conducted. Questions will involve road signs and vehicle signals. The foundation of driving will be tackled by the examination. In a driving school, you will be trained on how to distinguish the signals and signs that are used in the road and by other drivers in the road.

Defensive driving is a prime matter to consider being safe in the road - and that's the goal of a driving school. With the aid of the professional instructor, you will be able to know the right ways on how to drive and arrive safely in your destination. To say, careless and "abusive" driving tricks are mostly learned because no professional instructor is giving the right reprimand on the kid. And with careless driving, accidents happens causing havoc on lives.

Enrolling to a driving school will help you know the basic safety measures in driving safely. These safety driving measures will help you to arrive safely without any damage to property and human life.

Speed. Accidents happen in the road because of over speeding - and most of these accidents are committed and initiated by drivers who don't have any professional training. If you are thinking of racing in the road, it would be great to be in Indianapolis, but the state highway is not the right place for that crap.

Attitude in the road. Most professional instructor of a driving school would impress this matter strongly - focus on the road. Yes, it is necessary for the driver to avoid calling through mobile phones or doing other things while driving. If you are driving, keep your eyes on the road and do not be disturbed buy calls because a life or lives are at stake.

Stay in shape. If you are not in good shape due to stress and fatigue of travel, do not drive. It would be better to stop in the nearest inn in the highway and rest for a while. On the other hand, if you don't want any accident to happen in the road, do not drive when you are drunk. It is the common problem that is faced by professional instructors; any driving school can be very strict in teaching this matter but most drivers would really risk their lives.

Follow rules. A driving school trains drivers on how to distinguish signs - but it is another thing to follow these signs and signals. You must always keep these signs and signals in mind to avoid any problem with the road officer or a problem with accidents.

Friday, 16 March 2012

Not so long ago few individuals were able to have private reg plates on their cars - most people simply used the plates the car was issued with to begin with. These days however, things have changed quite a bit. As private reg plates became more popular among the rich and famous, they've since caught on elsewhere and these days all sorts of people decide to buy personalised number plates for their vehicles.

But why should you bother getting your own plates if you already get regular plates whenever you purchase a car? You'll discover a number of reasons why you might decide to give some thought to this, and listed below are three of the best.

Personalise Your Car

Among the most common reasons for getting personalised reg plates for your car is to personalise it. Cars can be very important to their owners and they increasingly play a significant role in our day-to-day lives as we drive greater distances and become ever more mobile. This has led to many people wishing to put their own personal touch on their vehicles, either to display their personality or to demonstrate that their car is an integral part of their life.

Along with loads of other personalisation options, from changing the colour of the car to tinted windows, alloy wheels and also other modifications, private registration plates have emerged as a great way for men and women to add a personal touch to their vehicle.

Promote Your Business

You may also decide to spend money on some personalised number plates for reasons of promotion. For instance, if you happen to own a business that you'd like to promote and that needs you to do a considerable amount of travel in your car, personalised reg plates could be a quirky, unique method of advertising and marketing your company to the individuals you pass whilst you're out driving.

Even if you aren't driving, whenever your car is parked up people will still drive or walk past and notice it, and their attention is more likely to be caught if you've got unforgettable plates. You never know, it could encourage them to find out more about your company and become an effective addition to all of the other marketing activities you undertake.

Investment

Yet another fantastic reason to think about getting your car some private registration plates is that it could be a really great investment. If you are able to get plates that are highly sought after and likely to be desired by plenty of people, you could find the value of your plates goes up quite considerably over the years. Now and again, this means that personalised reg plates that you acquire for two or three hundred pounds now might end up being worth thousands of pounds in a few years time.

Needless to say, not all registration plates work out to be as good an investment as others, but when you do the research and pick your number plates wisely, there's a really good chance that their value will increase as time passes.

Generally, private reg plates are usually a terrific addition to your car, and you will find plenty of good reasons why you ought to give some thought to buying them.

Saturday, 10 March 2012

For anyone modifying their vehicle with aftermarket parts, a dyno tune is vital to ensure the car is functioning properly. Not only will professional technicians determine if the installation was done correctly, but they can fine-tune the vehicle to make sure it is optimizing the modifications. This, however, is not the end of the story. One major mistake made by car enthusiasts time and time again is not doing the follow up necessary after the dyno tune. This article will give an overview of other important things to keep in mind after you've driven home.

Check Fluids

Check your fluids daily. For people who are advocates of chemical augmentation (alcohol, water injection, NO2), it's your responsibility to check those fluids daily. In terms of oil, you have two inspection holes on your dipstick. Look through it, if you can't see through them because the oil is dirty, change it. That could be at 1000 miles if you beat on the car hard, or 5000 miles if you don't. So long as the level is fine, and the cleanliness is there, that is what really matters if you're changing it or not.

My car is acting up

We are a society of "walk it off" types. We'll injure ourselves and then wait a few days to see if it gets worse. Yeah... not good on a sprained ankle, not good on a car. Just as we all can't be doctors, we all can't be trained auto technicians. Nor should we need to be to have a high performance vehicle. However, that said, if there is a problem and it goes ignored, you are only setting yourself up for a larger problem down the line. The simple answer here is to use common sense and not push the car to perform if there appears to be some issues, even small ones. Because those small ones could get bigger. Your car can't tell you where it hurts, but it can show you symptoms that your technician should check out.

Know your car!

The best way to notice little problems before they grow into expensive ones is to know your car. When you leave the dyno tune, your technician should have it running smoothly. It then becomes your responsibility to notice if any of the drivability has changed and to follow up accordingly. A good technician will encourage you to make follow up calls after the tuning. A great technician will welcome such calls any time because he'd rather you have the car working properly than wait until it's in bad shape.

Also, it is your responsibility to consider the history and longevity of the vehicle prior to going down the modification road. The owner of a car with 80k miles on their sole form of transportation, wanting to toss in 100+WHP, is going to get a stern talking to by the technician.

Spend the dough on upkeep

Most of the time people aspire and plan to afford their shiny new exhausts, turbochargers, and boost controllers. Never considering the supporting and ancillary modifications required, much less the upkeep of the vehicle from the extra wear and tear down the road. The modifications are a beginning investment and cheapening out on the follow up costs and maintenance will not allow the car to perform at its maximum potential.

Sunday, 4 March 2012

Optically-clear film for the main and secondary lamps of automobiles is one of the most well-known automobile components on the tuning and detailing scene in the last several years. In the following brief guide we will offer recommendations for just how much material would be needed to finish any given job and preserve you both money in the long run.

How to Determine the Roll Size NeededAlthough we will give you the estimated lengths needed for each type of job later we want to first offer you a more detailed understanding of how to measure the areas to be wrapped with tint film. You will need the following supplies:• String or a measuring tape• A Sharpie or pen to mark the string• Masking or low-tac tape to hold your measure in place

First identify the points representing the maximum height and width of the light. Tape or keep the end of the cord at one end and unfurl it until you reach the opposite end. You may actually end up calculating both the width and depth of the lens but, because you are going to be using a two-dimensional sheet you can regard it as a single dimension.

Using the same strategy used record the width, proceed to record its height. When you have measured both dimensions you will need to add an extra 2 " wide to each to be able to ensure you will have enough tint for the job and to allow you to handle the film. It is very important that this step not be missed because body oils and over-handling are two of the significant causes which cause to delamination and lack of adhesion.

Headlight WrappingWhen tinting out your front lights you should always be sure to keep visibility as your first concern. We suggest the use of smoked tint on front lights only on automobiles to be used for display purposes. In general, most headlights will need at least 24 by 24-inches of vinyl each to be able to be absolutely covered. Therefore, if you want to buy one section of wrap to tint the pair of headlamps you would need to buy a 48-inch sheet.

Tinting TaillightsThe same concerns apply for taillight tinting as for those above. Tail lamps can vary widely in size and shape but it is almost certain that you will need at least 24-square inches per light for sufficient protection.

Smoking-out Fog LightsFog lamps are usually smaller than the head or taillights although there are some significant exclusions out there such as certain Subarus. As such, one twenty-four by twenty-four inch wrap kit will be sufficient to film both fog illumination and you should have enough remaining over to add used components to your part indicators or third braking mechanism illumination.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Lately you may have noticed an increasing number of cars with luminous "eyebrows" driving around.

That is because the European Union recently passed a directive making dedicated daytime running lights (DRL) a mandatory requirement on all new passenger cars and small delivery vehicles approved on or after the 7 February 2011. From August 2012 this will be extended to all buses and trucks as well.

What are DRL?

DRLs are bright, forward-facing lights situated alongside or beneath a car's existing headlamps and are designed to make a vehicle more conspicuous to other road users during the day.

Unlike regular headlamps, which can be switched on and off independently from the engine, DRLs come on automatically with the car's ignition and remain on while the engine is running. They can only be switched off again when the car's engine is off or the main headlamps are engaged.

DRLs are not a recent development. Sweden has required all motorists to drive with their headlights on all year round since 1977 and by 2006 12 European countries had introduced them in one form or another. The UK has never made it a requirement until now.

Fuel Consumption

One of the chief issues surrounding DRLs is additional fuel consumption.

DRLs draw their electricity from the car's alternator, which in turn results in greater fuel consumption. Not only is this more costly, but it also results in more CO2 emissions. Finding a light source that is both bright and efficient is therefore important.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) consume a fraction of the electricity needed by regular dipped-beam headlamps. A normal headlamp will use about 110 watts. DRLs using LED-based lighting only require 5-10 watts, therefore putting less strain on the car's alternator and resulting in less fuel consumption.

LED Bulbs also offer further advantages in that they last longer and produce a more directional light, making them more visible than typical headlamps.

The main purpose of DRLs is to improve the visibility of vehicles to other road users. By doing so the European Commission believes they will greatly reduce the number of casualties on European roads. According to one report, more than 35,000 people were killed on European roads in 2009, with many more left seriously injured.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

A few years ago around the holidays, a woman was shopping at a mall in the evening after work. So that she may remain anonymous, we will call her Kathy. Trying to fit holiday shopping into a busy work schedule can be difficult, and to take advantage of this opportunity, Kathy decided to push through and finish all of her shopping in this one evening. Despite the crowd inside the mall when she first arrived after work, the crowd soon thinned out after the dinner hours passed and people started to head home for the evening.

Shorter Lines, Faster Shopping

Stopping only for a very quick bite of dinner herself, Kathy was moving well from store to store, marking items off her shopping list. The lines in most stores were short and since she knew everything she intended to purchase ahead of time, Kathy was sure she was setting some kind of holiday shopping record. Sweaters, ties, even stocking stuffers filled her shopping bags to the point that she could not handle any more bags and decided to take the items that she had purchased to the car.

Window Tint is more than Just Privacy

As with most malls, the shops were not open too late during the week although they did remain open until after dark. Kathy lugged the bags out to the parking lot, which was relatively well lit, but extremely cold at this time of the year. As she stuffed the last few bags in the trunk of her car, her fingers felt like icicles, and she jumped in the front seat of her car to warm up for a minute before heading back into the mall to buy the few remaining things on her list.

Kathy's cell phone chirped, and she noticed that she had several unread text messages and began to sort through them. Suddenly, Kathy was startled by a loud smashing of glass that sounded at first like it happened right there in the car with her. She immediately looked up and saw that a young man wearing a hooded sweatshirt had smashed the window of the car right next to her. More frightening than that, Kathy could see that he had a small handgun tucked in the front of his jeans.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Kathy sat there frozen for a moment until she realized that the man had no idea that she was even sitting there because he could not see inside the tinted windows of her vehicle. Upon making this realization, Kathy quietly dialed 911 from her cell phone and both the police and mall security were able to catch the criminal before he was able to escape the mall property.

So in addition to protecting Kathy and the interior of her car from the sun's UV rays, tinted windows may have saved Kathy's life that night.

Friday, 17 February 2012

Process of car paint stripping can be very dirty especially if your car paint is very old. It can also be time consuming as it most of the time last about three days or even more in cases when you are about to strip a whole car. There are some different procedures when doing this type of a job, but in any case you should focus on one panel at a time. Sanding, scraping, media blasting and chemical stripping are all methods that can be used for paint stripping, but for doing the job at home, the best ways are probably sanding or scraping.

Sanding and scraping

Prepare yourself for a job with air compressor and a dual-action sander loaded with 80-grade paper. If your purpose is to strip the entire car then buy a roll of the self-adhering discs and change them frequently. To prevent to much heat in selected area when wielding a DA, don't hold it in one spot and push down with a lot of power, instead of doing that, fan it out over a broad surface the way you would a buffer. Scraping paint off a panel using razor blades is possible in some cases, but that is not often as you must be very relaxed and precisive, however this procedure doesn't produce dust and won't heat up the metal.

Media blasting

This is the process of propelling media particles from a blast machine using the power of compressed air. This converts media particles and compressed air into an effective cleaning treatment that requires skill and proper equipment. Soda blasting is a popular method for paint removing especially from surfaces that would be destroyed by sand, like fiberglass. However this step requires some more space than some other ones. For the entire car work, It is better to use bigger blaster. Usually car enthusiasts uses smaller blasters, that are great for smaller car parts and spots, but are not so useful when doing the process of entire car stripping. Some body shops does rent it so that is a possible way.To protect areas that won't be blasted use couple of layers of duct tape. After blasting the panel then sand it with 80 to 100 grade paper and also after doing that prime it to prevent rust.

Chemical stripping

On the market there are available a lot of chemical paint stripping products to our disposal. Chemical stripping requires a lot of patience and time, but on the other hand is a great way to doing the job without damaging the car. It will remove one layer at a time when there are multiple paint layers on a vehicle. Use paintbrush to apply it, wait some time, and then scrape it off. Do this stuff on a small areas at a time, applying the stripper over and over until the body is bare. It's a good idea to put a tarp down to make cleanup easier, and the entire car should also be washed with soap and water after using the stripper.

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Car seat mats are great for drivers who drive long distances. They are comfortable and durable. These devices make your seat more comfortable with their cushion type material. Many drivers use them as they add extra padding for any type of seat. If you're a truck driver or traveling business salesman, then these are practically a necessity. There are a variety of mats available to you.

Vibrating & Heat Controlled

Vibration is great for those who want a massage type of seating options. The vibrating mat offers you comfort and a stress free drive as it vibrates your back and legs. People with bad backs also choose this type of mat for its massage qualities.

Heat controlled mechanisms are for drivers on cold days. No more need to wait for the car to warm up on those cold wintery days. You can sit on your heated mat and feel cozy. These mats are often battery controlled and available at any car accessory retailer.

Beaded Seating & Hypoallergenic

This beaded option offers you a harder seat as the beads work together to bring you a firm seating area. They are usually made out of high quality wood or glass. This is also the style that has probably already been used the longest and is a valuable asset to your back and leg areas.

For those allergic to down and other types of pillow fills, this type of mat will become your new favorite device. For those who don't like hard seats, this pillow type seat will make it possible to tolerate long rides. They also come in several varieties: firm, extra firm and soft.

Pros and Cons of Mats

While these seats bring you comfort and relaxation, there are pros and cons to this mechanism. Take a look at a few pros and cons before choosing which seat is best for you.

Pros

• They provide comfort.• The device offers you a stress free drive.• They fit on any seat.• Some have massagers built into them.• They are great on cold days.

Cons

• They wear down too quickly.• Mats cost too much.• These devices tear easily.• They are not always available in stores.• They are not adjustable.

These devices are typically sold to people who do a lot of driving. If you are on the go constantly and suffer from back or neck problems, these mats are able to provide a firmer seat so that you're not being bumped around in your existing car seat. Also for those who find it difficult to see past the dashboard, this mat will give you more height.

Car seat mats provide you with convenience. They are lightweight and made from durable materials. They are sold at any local retailer and are available online.

Sunday, 5 February 2012

The paint protection film was first developed during the Vietnam War and it served a military purpose. The army needed some material that will protect the blades of helicopters during missions in adverse conditions. This is how the clear bra came into existence.

The material was strong enough to keep the blade safe from the damage that would otherwise be caused by flying debris. Soon after, the paint protection film started gaining popularity outside the military sector. It was installed on the cars of NASCAR teams to offer reliable paint protection from chipping and scratching.

The current clear bra is made of a very thin and nearly 100 percent transparent layer of polyurethane. It is almost impossible to spot the clear bra, once it has been installed properly.

Clear bra came as a long awaited alternative to traditional leather and vinyl car bras. These have a number of advantages and imperfections that clear bra deals with effortlessly. The leather and vinyl bras are bulky and difficult to install. Additionally, they affect the appearance of a vehicle.

The vinyl and leather bras are incapable of providing a very tight fit. This means that moisture and dirt can get trapped underneath during rainfall or whenever the car is getting washed. The vinyl bra has to be removed each time poor weather is expected or the car is going to be cleaned.

3M paint protection is waterproof and once installed, it will stay on the car for its entire lifespan. The toughness of the film gives it five years of warranty. If maintained properly, the clear bra can remain in a good condition for even a longer period of time.

The next interesting set of facts focuses on the resilience of the film. Tests show that the clear bra is capable of withstanding the influence of debris like gravel and rocks flying at 60 miles per hour.

A test has even been performed involving a shotgun and CO2 cartridges. These were incapable of penetrating the film, despite the high speed. A test with a knife showed that the clear bra is offering some of the most reliable paint protection that the market has to offer currently.

Paint protection films are strong, easy to maintain and capable of standing the effects of extreme atmospheric conditions. These are all great advantages that lure many people into giving the clear bra a try.

It is also important to note that the material is suitable for all kinds of vehicles. It can stick to nearly any material. The proof of the claim is the manner in which many people use paint protection film outside the automobile industry. It can wrap nearly anything starting from hi-tech gadgets and moving on to garden furniture.

Clear bra can be installed on all kinds of vehicles, including boats and private airplanes. After all, the initial usage of the material was for the protection of aircraft. It is also the perfect shield for mountain bikes and trucks that are used in off road adventures. These types of vehicles need some serious protection and the clear bra will deliver.

3M paint protection film has been tested numerous times and all of the trials confirm its strength and practicality. To top it off, the product is affordable and very long lived. All of these interesting facts and characteristics turn it into a very popular product that will guarantee customer satisfaction.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Choosing the right vinyl stickers for your car can be a troublesome task, especially because of the tremendous diversity. Do you know how to distinguish high quality from mediocre products? Several simple indicators can be used to make an informed selection.

The first and most obvious option involves the purchase of official vehicle stripes. These are manufactured by the company that produces your model of car. These stripes have a number of advantages. They are the right size and they are of certain quality that other manufacturers may be incapable of delivering.

The downside of going for official vinyl stripes is that the collections are usually limited. Although you will have a medley of patterns to choose among, chances are that you will be incapable of finding the design that is just right for you.

This is when you will probably turn to alternative vinyl stripe manufacturers. Many printing companies and car tuning producers are capable of doing a great job. Their stickers will be of the right quality and they will come at affordable prices.

Several indicators will help you determine good quality. First, you can always rely on the corporate websites of such companies.

A professionally developed corporate website that is updated regularly and that contains an extensive FAQ section will let you know that the company is very serious about its business and its relationship with clients.

Next, examine the portfolio section. If the website is missing such, you should simply move on to another option. A portfolio that is diversified and that features different styles of patterns is what you are looking for. This portfolio is telling you that the company is comfortable working in different niches and creating tuning materials that will appeal to a wide range of consumers.

A price comparison will let you limit the opportunities. Remember that you are trying to find the best price to quality ratio rather than the lowest price. Vinyl stripes are a relatively affordable tuning material. A slightly higher price may be a guarantee of the quality of materials and the printing job itself. Still, you should refrain from going to extremes and picking the most expensive option out there.

You can also refine your search through the use of information in specialized forms and blogs. Many people have been in your shoes and they are willing to share information about their experiences.

Client reviews and opinions can be biased. Some of the reviews may actually be coming from company representatives while others could be written by competitors. You should never trust reviews that are overly positive or overly negative without giving any arguments.

Try to establish a pattern. Many people writing about the same problem or a number of reviews sharing similar praise are trustworthy. Looking for patterns will save you from experiencing unpleasant surprises in the future.

The final step of the process involves the actual contact with a company representative. Find out how comfortable these professionals are with changing a design to satisfy your needs. You should be experiencing ease of communication and some flexibility.

The selection of the right vinyl stripes manufacturer is precisely what you need in order to be happy with the tuning material and with the new appearance of your car. Always do your homework in advance. It may take some time and effort but you will be saving yourself from the possibility of experiencing great disappointment.

Friday, 13 January 2012

There are two main reasons people want performance lift kits for their diesel truck or SUV. The first is an increase in the comfort, traction, fuel efficiency, horsepower and torque, and acceleration of the vehicle, particularly when going off-road. The second reason is, of course, that they can make your diesel vehicle the most impressive looking and sounding beast on the road. With advances in technology and design you don't have to sacrifice one for the other - you can choose the optimal performance upgrades for your truck or SUV, and customise the design to fit any look you want.

Installing a lift kit should be your starting point for any performance upgrades to your diesel truck or SUV. This will raise your suspension and give you more room to work with later, so you have more options for your wheel, engine, and exhaust upgrades. Not only that, a suspension lift kit will also improve your fuel efficiency, and give you a far smoother ride.

Before Installing

Choosing the type of lift kit or suspension work you want done can be tricky. You have to consider not just the model of your vehicle, but also how you plan to use it. If you are using your diesel vehicle for a lot of off-road rock-crawling at low speeds, you'll have a different set of needs to somebody who does a majority of highway or long distance driving. To make the process smoother, make sure you have considered this question before you talk to your mechanic. This is mostly an issue of safety and optimal performance, whatever you plan to use your diesel vehicle for you should be able to customise its look to your preferences.

Installing a Lift Kit

Once you have decided on the appropriate suspension lift kit for your diesel vehicle, it is time to start the installation process. Again, this can be tricky with many factors to consider. Things like the length of your drive shaft, the overhang of your fenders, added air lockers, and the gear ratio in your axels all have to be considered and possibly modified. This is not a task you would want to undertake at home without prior knowledge - finding a reputable auto repair shop and discussing what the process would be for your specific vehicle is the best bet for a novice.

Disadvantages of Suspension Lift Kits

Unfortunately, modifying the suspension in your diesel vehicle does come with some risks. The extra height will change the way you navigate turns, as your centre of gravity will be raised - this can lead to less stability, but can be compensated for once you get a feel for the new handling. The recommended maximum height for lift kits is 4 inches, anything above that will lead to a considerable change in the way your vehicle handles and will take some getting used to.

If you are planning to install larger tyres after your lift kit (and you most likely will be when you see how puny your wheels look under your upgraded suspension), you should be mindful that you will lose some traction when driving at high speeds on the highway. While larger tyres are great for increasing stability in off-road conditions, you will find driving on the road will become slightly more difficult. As with the raise in your centre of gravity, it is nothing that you can't get used to with a little practise.

Body Lifts Vs. Suspension Lifts

This article has been discussing suspension lift kits, designed specifically for those who want to go off-road and get the best performance. A body lift gives you the same aesthetic results as a suspension lift, but won't give you any of the off-road performance benefits. A suspension lift kit will lift the entire frame, power train, and engine on springs to your requested height. A body lift kit will simply raise the body - giving you the same look and customisation options, but without the off-road stability and fuel economy. A body lift is substantially cheaper than a suspension lift, and doesn't require the same level of personalisation and workmanship. So if you aren't going off-road, but do want the look and sound of an off-road rig, a body lift kit may be your best option.

Thanks to General Motors' decision to bring back its Chevrolet Camaro, the pony car wars are back between the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Camaro. Owners of these muscle cars do not typically keep their cars stock and instead opt to modify the looks, engine, and chassis to achieve better performance than their rival Detroit-built pony cars. With this in mind, Hennessey Performance has developed and introduced a new range of upgrades designed specifically for the LS3-powered Camaro SS models.

The first aspect that most owners focus on is the 6.2-liter V-8 engine nicknamed the "LS3" by General Motors. Hennessey Performance offers a new air induction system to help the engine suck in more air and thus produce more power. Optionally, customers who want a large amount of power spinning the rear Camaro wheels can purchase a supercharger system designed specifically for the LS3 V-8 engine. A new stainless steel exhaust system can also be installed to help reduce backpressure and efficiently remove exhaust gasses for better performance. In addition, the exhaust helps to emit a ferocious growl for a more intimidating attitude. After the exhaust and intake modifications have been installed, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) is usually tuned to accommodate for the reduction in backpressure and increase in air being sucked in by the intakes. An ECU tune helps to optimize the ignition timing, fuel injection, throttle, and more. Each ECU tune is individually tested on a dynometer to ensure reliability and performance.

If the engine is producing more power due to new modifications, new transmission and drivetrain upgrades are often necessary to ensure all that power can be reliably sent to each of the rear Camaro wheels. For the Chevrolet Camaro SS, Hennessey Performance can install a short shift kit for quicker, more precise gear changes, along with new engine and transmission mounts to handle the extra power. The team at Hennessey Performance can also install a new clutch and carbon fiber driveshaft to handle the added stress put on the drivetrain components.

The next step for muscle car owners is the chassis. The suspension can be upgraded to provide more precise handling and an optimum center of gravity with new shocks and springs that lower the overall ride height and stiffen that chassis. New Camaro wheels that are lightweight forged aluminum can help to reduce weight at the wheel hub for better overall performance with an added touch of style. With certain new Camaro wheels, big brake upgrades can be installed depending on the clearance. The big brakes utilize high-performance calipers and discs to improve stopping distances.

The finishing touch in the Hennessey Performance upgrade program is the aerodynamic body work. New carbon fiber components can be installed on the front, rear, and sides, to help generate downforce for better high speed stability without adding a large amount of weight. The body work also helps to give a more aggressive appearance to the American muscle car.

The entire Hennessey Performance upgrade program for the Chevrolet Camaro is currently available as a complete package or as individual accessories for owners that want more performance from their muscle car.

Saturday, 7 January 2012

Garmin 1450lmt and Garmin nuvi 1350lmt are the most popular GPS units which received lots of good reviews from users. Some of you may be wondering which one of them is better for purchasing. Here's some information about the differences between the two models and how to choose from them for your own needs.

Garmin nuvi 1350lmt

It has a 4.3 inch screen which is slimmer than 1450. Garmin nuvi 1350lmt is preloaded with North American maps and street name voices. With 1350, you can get guides to the right lane. If you're walking on the streets, it provides pedestrian navigation options. EcoRoute calculates the most time and fuel-saving route for you to the destination. Garmin nuvi 1350lmt is one of the 1300 series.

Garmin 1450lmt

It has a 5 inch wide-screen. You can get more info from the big screen. Garmin 1450 offers lane-assist with junction view to guide you through highway interchange. Pedestrian options, ecoRoute and spoken street names are all on 1450lmt too. Garmin 1450 is one of the 1400 series.

Why Garmin nuvi 1350lmt and Garmin 1450lmt So Popular?

Garmin nuvi 1350lmt and 1450lmt have been ranking the top in best sellers ever since they were launched. The first reason why they're so popular is because of the great navigation function and good user experience. People buy GPS because they need a good guide while on road, of course. And these two models do the best job than other products on the market. That's why customers give them good reviews and people choose to purchase them.

The second reason is that they both offer more useful functions other than navigation. You can get far beyond navigation from 1350 and 1450. EcoRoute helps you save fuel and money. All kinds of travel tools are contained including measurement converter, currency converter, world travel clock, picture viewer, calculator etc. anti theft function keeps your car and GPS safe for the whole time. Moreover, you can use an optional SD card to enhance your experience.

Choose 1350 or Garmin 1450lmt?

No doubt both of the models provide the best user experience not only in navigation. Before you decide which one of them to buy, you should know your own needs. Actually the biggest difference between 1350 and 1450 is the size of their screens. If you need a slimmer GPS, I suggest you to choose 1350 with 4.3 inch screen. But if you want more information from the screen, 1450 would be a better choice for you.

Sunday, 1 January 2012

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is arguably one of the most iconic German super cars currently on the market and even rivals the Porsche 911 Turbo. With the unveiling of the updated SLS AMG "GT" models, the first SLS AMG Roadster models have become less powerful than their new counterparts. The team at Vath Automobiltechnik decided that the currently outdated non-GT models should be available with a vast amount of horsepower, so they developed a new tuning program with a supercharger engine modification, new forged wheels, a tighter chassis, and upgraded aerodynamics.

First, the entire SLS AMG Roadster was given a makeover by Vath because of the higher speeds it would be achieving with the engine upgrades. The team developed new carbon fiber bodywork that generated downforce for better handling and high-speed stability without adding more weight to the super car. The front bumper was given a new spoiler lip to reduce lift at the front axle while a pair of side skirts calms the airflow around the upgraded forged wheels. New brake duct intakes send cool, fresh air into the braking system to remove excess heat buildup and prevent fade. At the rear sits a rear add-on spoiler that attaches to the standard electric spoiler system. When a predetermined speed is reached, the rear spoiler deploys to generate downforce and keep the rear axle planted on the road's surface.

With the aerodynamics in check, Vath then turned their attention to the hand-built, 6.2-liter V-8 AMG engine. A new supercharger system was installed atop the intake manifold of the V-8 and given a new pair of air intakes that are optimized for better, more efficient airflow. A stainless steel exhaust system with sport catalytic converters was then installed to optimize the exhaust gas pressure. The final touch was an ECU tune to accommodate for the new compressor system. The end result was a total of 702 PS and 850 Nm of torque churning the rear forged wheels on the asphalt. To handle the extra power, both the fuel system and gearbox had to be fitted with new cooling systems. The increase in power helps the SLS AMG Roadster spring from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 330 kph.

The additional power output of the V-8 required much of the chassis to be upgraded. The standard rims were replaced with new forged wheels in a three-piece construction to reliably put the power to the pavement. The forged wheels were installed in a wider 9.5 x 20 front and 12 x 20 rear fitment for better grip and fitted with new performance tires. The suspension was given a new set of threaded coilovers to lower the overall center of gravity to improve handling and stability. Vath also upgraded the braking system with 405 mm diameter discs on the front axle with stainless steel flex lines for greater stopping power.

The entire Vath SLS AMG Roadster upgrade program with supercharger system, aerodynamics, forged wheels, and chassis modifications is currently available as an entire tuning program from the German company for 85,000 Euros.